R O S A N N A' S P. O. V:
Walking outside the tent, I saw my surroundings were like last time, but with the existence of a few tents set up in the distance. Similar to Kairos' but smaller in sizes.
Students were outside, with a myriad of expressions. Some looking drained, tired, nonchalant, neutral and others looking happy go lucky.
Now, the freaky ones are the happy ones. Note to self: don't trust the smiles, especially when they can go through such sadistic sh*t and look so bright. They ain't normal, bro.
While it was abnormal that I came out from the tent with Kairos, I didn't realize the abnormality till people's gazes began to settle in on Kairos' figure and mine.
Elan's teasing stare seemed to hint at something, Naiyah looking like an icicle and Pearce looking genuinely intrigued.
I tried not to be bothered about the stares of numerous students but analysing team Alpha's was almost instinctive. I just cared that much. Since our lives were kind of entwined, and the protagonist halo made me notice them first.
Drake spotted a sly and equally teasing expression like Elan, and a frown was etched on my face instantly.
Perhaps feeling my change of mood, Kairos gave a side glance at me and in that little second, I seemed to receive a comforting message. And it made me calm significantly.
Straightening up my posture, I moved near Aniysa's figure, the red haired girl staring back at me with a questioning look and I shrugged, separating from Kairos as the latter walked to the middle of our group.
I took a sit besides Aniysa just as Kairos stopped at the center of the scattered group of students, taking his position as our teacher and figure of authority.
"Asa?" Kairos called out. The physically cute human stepped out and stood a few steps near Kairos, answering.
"Sir?" With a slight bow, showing a respectful and amiable front. Blue hair shining softly under the glow of the moonlight.
'Mwah! Mwah! Perfait acting skills! Je ne peux pas comparer'.
Is this the guy with devious intent? Wow. But I always knew cute eyed blue guy was a secret psychopath!
Watching his Simulation was an eye opener in our last class. The brutality and cruelty showed during that test incited tingles in my body when I recalled the bloody scene.
Kairos lifted his gaze from Asa and stared ahead, addressing us. "Class 33A, meet your Class representative. I expect you all to cooperate with Asa and seek him out if you all encounter any problems concerning this course."
Then without waiting for any response whatever, he turned his gaze to Asa.
"Lecture begins now. If the others are yet to awaken after half an hour, send them to the school's clinic and simply guide them on how to access the online session. Good?"
"Understood, sir." Asa responded with a nod and Kairos turned his back on him, the blue haired boy retreating back to his seat on the grass.
"What you all experienced today was not a Simulation." Kairos' voice became louder, as he assumed the pose of a teacher. Hands behind back and posture upright. Walking in slow cyclical steps as his eyes met each and every one of us.
The surrounding was deathly quiet. As if it wasn't when he began talking in the first place. But I guess even the crickets got silenced. Or... Did Kairos kill them? That's a bloody mystery.
"It was a pocket dimension." Kairos said. "And if you'd done the assignments I gave, you would understand that by now. But I will explain nonetheless. And yes, do note that I will not be receiving the submitted copies of your assignments today. Pick up your papers after class from my desk and add this second assignment-- write a 450-500 words essay on your experience in today's Pocket dimension. Feel free to be as honest as you can on the essay."
Oh sh*t! The 2000 bloody words now 2500 words essay!
Kairos continued. "And meet with Evangeline Munroo-- the school's therapist if needed. Your mental health and development is as important as your physical development. While this institution may seem harsh to the sheltered few, it's nothing compared to the battlefield you all signed up for."
Kairos was right. To the incoming Apocalypse, this was nothing. So I stilled myself to intently key into this class session.
And thus came another long a*s detailed lecture with tiredness that had me feeling drowsy, but dared not sleep for fear of exercise.
I must admit, Kairos' teachings were very necessary today-- as always. It was centered on how to keep a battle mindset if we found ourselves in unexpected situations.
"A warrior is forever a warrior. There is no day off or moment of laxity, no. The peace they experience is a calm in the midst of the storms, and that is their relaxation. The ideal mentality of any powerhouse. Understand that as Mages, Warriors, Assassins and people of varying identities-- what classifies you as the Kingdom's Elementalist is your ability to fight.
But your ability to fight will always be levels beneath your capacity when you do not have the mindset to fight a victorious battle. Fear is a crippling disease that many of you have been a prey under. In situations where you can do better, you let fear hold back your full display of power."
It was surprising to find that Kairos set up a holographic image, and individually moved through the student's videos. Using his amazingly sharp memory to spot every moment where fear caused a serious effect in our Pocket Dimension test.
Save for a few, our weaknesses were pointed out. Things we could've done better than let fear lead.
I do admit, he was right. Actions that could increase our chances of survival-- logical choices that if taken would bring a better effect than the influence of mindless fear.
For me though, I was more on inexperienced and weak than allowing fear to lead. So I was saved from Kairos' brutal comments.
Eventually the videos ended and Kairos said. "Eliminating fear does not take courage, it takes faith. You need to believe in the possibility that you have the strength to overcome. And while oftentimes, it takes assurance of capability, the reality is you will never understand the full extent of your strength unless you let go of fear."
The holographic images changed and I jotted down certain details on my phone.
Kairos began explaining the human mind, our limitations and abilities, and various factors affecting our performance. Our mentality being a highlighted factor as it was a key essence of our performance.
"I advise you, students, to learn to develop a sense of calm in whatever situation you're thrown into, pressing your fear underneath. For the next class sessions, do expect impromptu tests and suicide missions. The first thing we need you warriors to let go of is the fear of death-- no, not the entirety of that fear but still, you will eliminate your fear of death.
It becomes quite a numbing sensation after a few hundreds of experience, and real life or death situations. But of course, we cannot allow for useless canon fodders. We will train you with the power, and without the fear. Those are our Kingdom warriors."
'New fear unlocked: Kairos' class sessions'.
.
Class was over. Aniysa held my hand as we walked through the portal along with other students, and arrived at the classroom.
The girl lead me to a corner and looked up at me with a suspicious expression.
"Yes?" I raised a brow, looking down at her petite figure. So cute, so cute, so cute!
I reached forward for her cheeks but she slapped my hand away with a scowl. Ouch.
"We have a lot to talk about, young missy. And for the sake of the many extra large ears, I'll leave it for later. Tomorrow, free period. Same spot?" She demanded.
"Yes ma'am." I agreed with a smile.
But sighted Elan approaching, and a smirk came on my lips with the way the blonde haired fake prince had his eyes set on Aniysa.
Aniysa stared at me in confusion. "What?"
Before following my gaze and spotting Elan. Their eyes locked and she blushed. I wanted to cheer for her love life, but I couldn't help my mama bear feelings rising with the urge to ship Elan off to Russia in a cargo.
So I held onto her hand and toyed with it in my palm, like a silent demonstration that she was mine, I was with her. And there is a 'we' before him.
I was low-key territorial.
Elan approached us in a matter of seconds and flashed a plastic smile at me.
"Drop the smile, Elan." I said with a bored expression.
"Hi Aniysa." He ignored me and gave a genuine smile to Aniysa but the red-head frowned.
"What's going on here?" She said, glancing between the two of us.
"Nothing much." It was funny how we both said the same thing at the same time.
Aniysa raised a brow and removed her hand from my hold, using both hands to pinch us. Even with reflexes, we couldn't dodge that surprise attack. Shizzle, Aniysa's hands have lightening speed experience!
"Ow!" Releasing a sound of discomfort, I shifted away from the spitfire and Elan just grinned unaffectedly.
"Why. Just why?" I rubbed my waist, sending Aniysa an incredulous look.
"Because." The little madam placed her hands on her waist. "My best friend and mate aren't telling me sh*t."
"Your what?" I was shocked while Elan released a mischievous smile.
'Okay... Karissa is Elan's fated mate and Aniysa his mate. Wtaf? Author are you missing something here?'
"Yes, mate." She affirmed. "Problem?"
"Absolutely-" My protest was cut off by Aniysa. "Oh don't even start, Mrs. Walker. You better tell me how the h*ll 'Jonah' changed his name and surname to a very similar sounding name."
I glared at Elan. Sneaky conniving traitor! He gave me a mischievous smile. "Someone accidentally spilled the milk?" He 'asked' with an innocent shrug.
'May I also accidentally spill some blood?'
I huffed, looking down at Aniysa's small frame. "I hope you know it wasn't something I could tell easily. We should have this discussion later."
"And you-" I pointed at Aniysa. And to Elan. "And him gotta explain this whole relationship status before I let you date him."
"Are you my mom-"
"Yes. Because if I remember correctly, it could just be a red head obsession from a playboy prince. Mate or not, Elan, I will wrap you in a sack and throw you into the river if by any chance, Aniysa is just a conquest or a passing fling. Is that clear?"
"C'mon, Rosa-"
"Agreed."
"Good." I nodded, giving Elan a rare small smile while Aniysa stared at him in confusion.
"Red head obsession?" She asked, peering intently for an answer.
Elan directed an almost pleading look at me before nonchalantly responding. "Somewhat."
And I was glad to see Aniysa's face take on a frosty expression. She gripped Elan's wrist and walked away saying,
"Lover's talk, Patty. If you don't see him after today, tell them he went on an adventure."
"Sure!" I said, smiling from ear to ear.
"It'a different Ani, you really don't believe-"
"Elan Novak. Anything you say will be used against you in the court of judgement. You will tell me about your red head conquest, you little blondie."
Aniysa wasn't exactly being quiet, but then again we were few here. Most students have left and others-- for whatever reason, stayed and stared with intrigue. Karissa with a feigned calm expression, and all of Team Alpha gone.
No later had Aniysa tugged her blonde mate out the class, Karissa followed. Walking a few steps behind with a neutral expression but deep aura. Sad, I tell ya. I could feel her slight change watching the two be together.
'Did Elan reject her?' I wondered. 'Or will Aniysa eventually be discarded like in the book?'.
Thinking is stress.
A few minutes later and every student had left, leaving only me and Kairos in the large empty classroom.
'I think Elan was supposed to guide me in and out the mansion but that dude has been absent. Maybe I should just talk to any of the team now we're teammates. Than wait awkwardly for Kairos.'
"Rosanna?" Kairos called.
"Hm?" I raised my head and looked towards him. "I mean, um, sir?"
I get so confused sometimes. Mate, teacher, and Team leader. How do I address him?
Quirking his lips up in amusement, Kairos said. "Call me by my name when it's private. Address me by my title in public. Better?"
"Not really. Cause we're privately public now." This was a maybe situation.
"Then decide according to the situation." He offered.
I was hesitant. "Sir Kairos?"
He shrugged. "Acceptable."
"Anyways, there's a chair besides me if you haven't noticed. I assume if you require my assistance over the team's, it wouldn't be okay to keep you standing. And I do need your presence closer."
"Aight then." Blushing slightly, I walked forward and noticed the dark blue comfy looking chair, somewhat hidden behind the large desk. The lighting was not so bright either so it was possible to miss it.
I rounded the desk, Kairos focusing on his work and I sat down upon the chair. Marvelling at how close we were.
"People might see us here?" I asked, nervously placing my hands on my thighs and lightly tapping the floor.
I became a bit too self-conscious in his presence.
"No." Kairos took his gaze off the papers and settled on mine. "This part of the building is manipulated to control outsiders from getting in during hours such as this, but open for exit."
"I see." I nodded. "Any reason why?"
"Students are often vulnerable after participating in class sessions of this type. Enemy attack is plausible."
"What about from within?" Enemies on the inside, no?
"I can detect any signs of abnormality in my surrounding. And before you ask why go through the stress of setting up a defense system? Truth is, I am not a watchdog, Tressia."
"Wasn't gonna ask but thanks for letting me know." I smiled. "But I do have to ask, aren't there security guards and systems outside?"
Kairos replied, eyes shifting in a slow survey of my body before being set into the far distance. Why did I like his gaze so much?
"In emergency situations, it's not always possible for external defense to work against enemy infiltration."
"Ah, I see." I nodded. "By the way-- you called me tressia, what's that?"
That name was odd. Is it a foreign name for world hoppers or-
"Treasure."
"Oh okay," I bit my lip and looked away, not knowing how to respond.
When I brought my gaze back to Kairos again, I saw he was staring at me intently, eyes flashing to my lips.
'Ah?'
I released my lip and directed my stare to the ceiling, not failing to hear Kairos' faint sigh.
'My my, if it was sexual tension I'd know. But this is too awkward.'
I rested my head on the desk, turning my face away from Kairos as I fell asleep easily.
Somewhere inside the deep sleep, I could feel something lightly playing with the edges of my hair. But subconsciously feeling Kairos' presence, I slept without care.